A considerable number of projects have passed through the planning process and are being implemented. I welcome, in particular, the five year action plan drawn up by the Department with responsibility for the islands, which was promised under the national development plan. The benefits of the plan are being realised on a number of islands. The Minister has secured an 18% spending increase in his Department's Estimate, which is much higher than the average increase. This will assist the Minister in terms of what he wishes to achieve during his term of office on behalf of people who have been rarely acknowledged.